Yahoo.com - Finals MVP Paul Pierce, who recently spent three days at a ball camp in Madrid, is making, ahem, news about what he said to a Spanish reporter. The money translation, via RedsArmy: "Q: Is Kobe really the best player in the world? Pierce: I don't think Kobe is the best player. I'm the best player. There's a line that separates having confidence and being conceited. I don't cross that line but I have a lot of confidence in myself." Surprisingly, Spurs fans seem more upset by this than actual Lakers fans. (Update:OK, Lakers Nation is pretty upset, too.)

Our boys at Red’s Army pretty much nailed this one.  This is much to do about nothing.   I mean what do people want Paul Pierce to say?  That Kobe is the best?     That the NBA Finals were just an aberration?  Doesn’t every great player secretly believe they are the best?  That’s part of what makes them great.  But all that stuff aside, the difference here is that Paul Pierce is probably the best player in the world.   And if he's not he’s certainly on the short list.   After all, he was the best player in the NBA playoffs.  He did dominate LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.  He did win the Finals MVP award.   He easily could have been the MVP of the season.  Or did I dream all of this?   So what’s so outrageous about him saying he’s the best player in the world? What's that old expression? It ain't bragging if you can do it? I mean it’s more outrageous to claim Kobe Bryant is the best player in the world at this point don’t you think?   Bottom line is that the proof is in the pudding folks.   Anybody say they are the best.   The difference is Paul backed it up this year which is something that Dr. Colorado hasn’t done since Shaq left town.